示野由佳 Yuka Simeno, 声楽家 人形製作者 Singer of Classical music and Dollmaker

Water Yo-yo is a typical toy for Summer in Japan. That is a small balloon filled with a little bit of water, bound to one finger with a rubber strap, and can be bounced up and down. While playing, the sound of water splashing inside the balloon can be heard which is enrtaining. I prefer watching it over actually playing with it. Colours and patterns of water yo-yos are so many and quite beautiful. Often at summer street festivals there are some yo-yos floating on water in order to be sold. When I was little, in front of a department store in my home town, there was a man selling water yo-yos on the street. It was a great pleasure to see many yo-yos with many different colours floating on the water. When my parents bought one for me, my happiness was limitless. I remember walking between my father and mother and sometime I wanted to hold their hands, lifting my feet up in the air. Yes I was really young and I remember it with a smile on my face.

小さかった頃、故郷高知の或るデパート前の道端で、ヨーヨーが売られていることがありました。銀色の大きくて浅い水槽の中に浮かぶ色とりどりのヨーヨー… ひとつでも買ってもらえた時は、この上なく嬉しかったです。お街に出る日は特別な感じがして、うきうき気分。片手を父、もう片手を母と繋ぎ、3人で歩いている最中に、ぐっと両手に力を入れます。そして両膝を折り曲げ、足を地面から離して、父と母の間にぶらさがるのが面白くてたまりませんでした。本当に私は小さかったんだなあ、と思い出すと笑ってしまいます。とても幸せな思い出です。　　　シリーズ「浴衣ガールズ」より

No matter whether I am sad or feeling lonely, she takes me to an island which gives me peace and hope. I get a feeling that I can hear the sound of the ocean together with her. From the series “Island Girls”.

悲しい日も、孤独な日も、この子は私を、和と希望に溢れる島に連れて行ってくれます。この子と一緒に、海の音を聞いているような気持ちになります。　　　　シリーズ「アイランド　ガールズ」より

She is regarded as naughty. She is thinking about which prank to do. But in reality she wants to make people laugh and she is a purveyor of peace. (Sold)

この子は「いたずらっ子」。今も、「何をしてやろうかな…」と考えてます。でも、本当は皆んなを笑顔にしたいだけ。何よりも「和」を望んでいるのです。（売）

It is the beautiful month of May and a nice windy breeze is flowing.(Sold) 美しい季節5月。風もさわやかです。(売)

Picture by Yuka Simeno